Rental Property Inspection Check List

Whether you plan to move into a rental housing unit, already live in one or are about to move out, chances are your landlord will inspect the property at some point. You should also thoroughly inspect the property before moving in to a rental unit to ensure that you are not later held financially liable for pre-existing damages.

Kitchen

The stove and oven, if included in your rental unit, should be in full working order and have all knobs and handles present. The stove, oven and refrigerator should all be clean; you should keep them clean during your tenancy as well for safety reasons and in case your landlord requires additional property inspections. Make sure that your kitchen has both hot and cold running water at all times. Be sure to survey the cleanliness and condition of the floor, floor coverings, walls, ceiling, doors, windows, cabinets and counters. If your kitchen has a garbage disposal, the check list should include a line for this appliance; the same rule applies to any other appliances present, such as dishwashers.

Bathrooms

All bathroom inspection check lists must include categories for the sink, bathtub, shower, toilet and fixtures. A bathroom should also include either a ventilation fan or a window for health and safety reasons. The sink and bathtub or shower faucets also need to offer both hot and cold water. The cleanliness of the bathroom and the condition of the walls and floors are also essential parts of any type of rental inspection.

Security

All other rooms of the rental unit should be thoroughly inspected for potential safety problems such as broken electrical outlets, stains, chipped paint and nonworking light switches. Each unit must have at least one smoke detector; the specific number required depends on the size of the property as well as applicable local and state laws. All door and window locks should be kept in working order at all times and checked for security during rental inspections.

About the Author

Stephanie Mojica has been a journalist since 1997 and currently works as a full-time reporter at the daily newspaper "The Advocate-Messenger" in Kentucky. Her articles have also appeared in newspapers such as "The Philadelphia Inquirer" and "The Virginian-Pilot," as well as several online publications. She holds a bachelor's degree from Athabasca University.